The German Consulate in Dubai will soon make biometrics, or fingerprinting, mandatory for all Schengen visa applicants, XPRESS can reveal.The UAE already uses fingerprint biometrics in its national ID.
"The biometric data system will be introduced within the next year to bring in greater traceability," German Consul General Klaus H.D. Ranner said in an exclusive interview. "It is a response to increased security requirements. It will help check identity theft and make it difficult for people to fake passports and visas."
He said the German Consulate will be the second diplomatic mission among Schengen states to adopt this measure in the UAE.
A note on Schengen:
For those as confused as I was about how to pronounce 'Schengen," this should help. Schengen is a town in Luxembourg (pop. 1500) so think German, not Chinese. It rhymes with swingin' as in "Schengen is a swingin' town." This is a mnemonic device, not necessarily a fact.
